Automatic combination solo musical instrument.



P. WEl;|N,.

AUTOMATIC COMBINATION SOLO MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. 1,136,385.

APPL'ICATION FlLED SEPT. l2, I907.

. Patented Apr; 20, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2 I z F- II l P. WELIN.

I AUTOMATIC COMBINATION SOLO MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATIQN FILED SEPT-12, 1907 Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

JaM/alw Zeta Weld/v. qy Wvrwgy:

Wdnasea c. '24,. QQ

P. WELIN.

AUTOMATIC COMBINATION SOLO MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

v I APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 12, I907- 1,136,385. Patented Apr. 20, 1915,

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

III III f 6'7 Jh /ezalqa: Int/wa es,- film" EfiZl/b P. WELIN. IAUTOMATIC COMBINATION SOLO MUSICAL INSTRUMENT;

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.I2, 1907- I 1 13 3 5 Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

' 8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

1% I I 55; JZ/ Z/W M65525: filer lelelz'a.

-P. WELIN.

AUTOMATIC COMBINATION SOLO MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. I

' I APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I2, 1907. 1,136,385, v Patented Apr. 20,1915.

B STIEBTS-SHEET 43.

(1111119 L I: ID 01:11:!)

J1- 7- I Q4 17; 147

{6 E/WvrwQg I If. MM.-

, P. WEIIN. AUTOMATIC COMBINATION SOLO MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, I907- 1,136,385. Pat nted Apr. 20, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

P. WELIN. AUTOMATIC COMBINATION SOLO MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT- 12. I907. 1,136,385, I Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

8 8HEETS-SHBET 8.

% Y i w T M a 160 7 I I 20 1159" Q4 26' 77 J3 4 19 I W129 7 5; /I\ 13UNITED STATES iigrnn'r OFFICE.

PETER WEI-IN, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS,

- TO LAWRENCE MAXWELL, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

AUTOMATIC COMBINATION SOLO MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed september lii, 1907. Serial No. 392,541.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Pn'rnn WVELIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at \Vorcester, in the county of Worcester and- State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Automatic Combination SoloMusical Instrument, of which the following is a specification.

In order to operate pneumatically controlled musical instruments undereither high or low air tensions as desired, two systems have beenproposed heretofore, namely,

the double bellows system as exemplified in v a United States Patent701,535 granted on the 3rd day of June, 1902, jointly to Theodore P.Brown, and the present inventor, and the single bellows system in whichthe wind-chest'is pneumatically divided either into treble and basssections, or into a greater number of sections. In the single bellowssystem it was necessary to operate the pedals with suflicient force tosecure the loudest playing effects desired, even when all the notes ofone or several sections were modulated, as a high tension had to beproduced and then cut down for modulation, and it was impossible tolocate the point of change from loud playing to low except at the pointsprovided permanently in the construction of the instrument.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a system ofoperation and a construction for solo playing applicable both tocombination musical instruments and to separate players, in which-whensuch variation is desired the ordinary playing will be done under lowtension or pressure, and when it is. desired to accent the notes thehigh tension or pressure can be connected with the operating pneumaticswithout a permanently divided wind-chest. In other words, the strikingefiect of the operating pneumatics is divided without a division of thewind-chest. This can be done according to this invention with theemployment of either the single or double bellows system.

Another object ofrthe invention is to permit the change from onepressure or tension to the other to be made at will between meanswhereby it may. be,- secured; either manually, or automatically by thecontrol of i the music-sheet as desired, for the entire.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr. 20, I915.

range or for certainsections (asfor ex:

ample, octaves, thirds, etc.) thereof, and the provision of connectionsso arranged that if a music sheet 1s used not wide enough to cover theextra tracker channels which mustbe provided in the latter case, theymay 7 very easily be rendered inoperative to produce any result. v Allthese objects preferably are attained by such means that they may bethrown er al of the elements thereof, in connection; with which arecertain improvements in the valve box for the striking pneumatics, otherimprovements in an invention made jointly by Hjalmar Utterberg and thepresent inventor and set forth in their jointpatent on a regulatingmechanism for automatic musical instruments, No. 999,281, patented Aug.1, 1911, as well as in certain other features. This invention alsocomprises means for allowing the motor to race during the playing, thisbeing desired in the performance of certain musical compositions.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate apreferred embodiment of the invention as applied to a combination playerpiano, in which- F igurevl is a diagrammatic view showing the main partof the pneumatic action. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of .a portion of acombination piano showing one way in which this invention may be appliedthereto. Fig. 3 is a plan of parts of the same'showing a valve box, asliding valve, and connections for operating the same and alsoillustrating a switch valve box and its connections. Fig.

4 is a plan of the switch valve box- Fig. 5 is a sectionalj'view of thesame on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4.; ,Fi 6 is a longitudinal "vet- Y ticalsection of the valve box above r'eferred -v to and, of a portion of-thegovernor box with; avalve =bfox t ;l1 e1'*eini'showing the connectionsof saidpartsgjFi 7 isa transverse -sectional viewof the va veboxthrough-Tone .efh v l es- Fig- .8 .is a plan of; the I mpplate of saidvalve box showing the slide valve. Fig. 9 is a plan of the same with theslide valve removed. Fig. 10 is a plan of a 'lower plate of the top ofsaid ,valve box' 19 is a sectional view on the line 19-19 of Fig. 17'.Fig. is-a sectional view showing the tempo valve and its connection withthe racing valve. Fig. 21 is a vertical longitudinal section of a valvebox for the strik-.

ing pneumatic, and a part of thechannel board. Fig. 22is a plan of oneof the plates ofsaid valve boX showing the valves thereof.

Fig. 23 is a plan of another one of said plates showing the neumatics,and Fig. 24

is a plan of a lower plate showing the connection of the channels withsaid pneumatics and also illustrating in section the channel board.

While the invention is applicable to separate players for musicalinstruments it is ination pianos. For a general ldea of the 1n perhapsmore especially valuable in'the comasto bring their front walls slightlyinadv'ance of those of the note channels, so' that when a perforationinthe music sheet,'regi's. tering with one'of these accenting channels;

' and in alinement with the note perforation or perforationswhich it isto control, comes i into position to open it, theaccenting arrangementwill be set before the notes are struck.

' Each of the note channels 11' is connected in the ordinary waythroughpassages 13 with a pneumatic 14 located in a suction. chamber 15. It isto be observed that while this invention is shown as applied to a doublepneumatic operating system, it could be applied to any other system, asfor example, a single pneumatic system. One of these suction chambers isshown as being provided for each of the striking pneu- I -matics 16 andconnected by channels 17 and 18 respectively with passages 19 and 20which, as will be explained hereinafter, are

connected with the low and high air'tension" tion refer-- ence isto behad more especiallyi ftofFiggtl; In this figure the tracker-bar l0isiprovided with the ordinarynote channels lland with additionalchannels 12 which-jwill hereafter be referred to as the accentingichannels} These channels 12 are shown as located at. the ends of thetracker, but may bej otherw. wise located as desired, andare of suchsize chambers or chests respectively. Each passage 18-is connected withits suction chamber 15 through a port 21 which is normally closed by avalve 22 held down by a spring 23. Now when an air impulse passesthrough the passage 13 to liftthe pneumatic 14 it .raisesa double valve24-25 and cuts off a channel 26 from connection with the suctionchamber, admitting the outer air to it. This lifts a secondary pneumatic27 in a well understood manner so as to move a valve 28 to close anoutlet port 29 and open a port 30 so'as. to allow the interior of thestriking pneumatic 16 to communicate directly with the suction chamber15, and cause the striking operation to take place influenced by thelight air tension in the passage 19. This arrangement of primary andsecondary valves and neumatics is, of course, well understoodin thisart, and is merely shown here for the purpose of illustration as theinvention may be used with any form of mechanism for accomplishing saidresults. Now when it is desired to accent a note or series of notes, airis admitted ber 15 with the passage 19 and connect it with the passage20. This produces high air tension in the suction chambers 15 which arein the series 'to be accented. which are connected with the particularpassage 31 which has been opened. 7

According to this invention there are several waysin which one or moreof the channels 31 with which the instrument is provided, may beconnected with the atmos- 'phere to produce this result, namely,

through the automatic control by the music sheet-through the accentingchannels 12, by a manually controlled slide valve controlling sectionsof the instrument, and by another manually controlled means which beingconnected with all the channels 31 operates simultaneously all the notesof the instrument. r f

In order to secure control by sections, each of thechannels 31 isconnected with a suction chamber. 330 through'a port 340, and with theouter air through'a port 35, these ports being controlled by a doublevalve 3637 as is well understood. A pneumatic 38 controls theposition ofthe double valve, and this is located in a chamber 39 which is connectedby a passage 40 with one of the accenting tracker channels 12. Eachchamber 39. .is also connected through a channel 41 with an opening 42which open ings are controlled by a slide valve 43 operated manually aswill'be described hereininstrument is divided into'six sections, therewill be siX of these channels or pasasges, and each accenting channel 12of the trackerbar will control one of the sections of actions. Y I

\Vhen it is desired to connect the parts so that the. entire instrumentis operated under heavy air tensions, a manually operated valve 45 isemployed. This valve is shown as being controlled by the lever 46, theoperation of which has been described in this inventors co-pendingapplication for patent on a pneumatically controlled music playingdevice, filed Feb. 5, 1907, Serial No. 355,863, and the details of whichare not claimed in this application. The depression of this lever, ashas been described in my above identified application, admits air into aplurality of passages-47, one of which is connected'with'each of thepassages 41 or so as simultaneously to operate all the pneumatics 38.

Referring back to the suction chamber 330, it will be seen that insteadof the usual primary and secondary valve employed for preventing theconnection of the suction chamber with the outer air for anyconsiderable length of time, I have provided means for preventing such aconnection, and for permitting the use of the device without anysecondary valve. With the chamber 39, or preferably with the passages 40and 41 is. connected a passage 48 which extends into achamber 49 overwhich is a pneumatic 50 provided with a valve 51 normally held down by aspring 52 if desired. I This valve is for closing a port 53 connectingthe suction chamber through a restricted bleed passage 54 with thechambers 39 and 49 which are in communication with each Now when an airimpulse passes through any of the passages 40, 41 or 47, it will enterthe chamber 49 and lift the pneumatic 50. As this pneumatic does notlift against any air pressure, the chamber 49 and the passage 54 beingconnected with the suction chamber at this time, and as the valve 37does lift against the air pressure, and is of a heavier weight, thefirst action of the impulse of'air is to close the valve 51, so as toprevent bleeding of atmospheric air into the chamber 330 through theport 53 during the operation of the pneumatic 38. It will be understoodthat the passage 48 is not an absolute necessity. The passages 40, 41and 47 communicate with the chambers 39 and 49, in any desired way. Theyare shown as opening into a passage 48 communicating with them. It ispreferred to conduct the air into the chamber 49' as will be explainedhereinafter.

through the separate passage 48 so that there will be no force tooperate the pneu--- matic 38 before the pneumatic 50 rises.

The slide valve 43 is employed for a purpose additional to that stated.In the position indicated inFig. 1, it covers a port 55, whichcommunicates through a passage 5.6 with a chamber 57. This passagecommunicates with a'chamber 58 and through a restricted passage 59 andport 60 with a suction chamber 61. The passage 56. is shown ascommunicating with the chamber 58 through an-" additional passage 62,which gives the same results as a direct-connection. In the chambers 57and 58 are pneumatics- 63 and 64. The pneumatic 63 controls avalve 65which controls ports 66, one connecting a collapsible pneumatic 67 withthe suction chamber, and the other with the outer air. The operation ofthis pneu matic and valve will be obvious; The pneumatic 64. supports avalve 68 preferably held down by a spring 69 which controls the port 60'and operates like the valve 51" such position as to uncover the port 55.In I the position in which this valve is shown in Fig. 1','this port isclosed, and the passages 19 and 20 are both under high tension In thiscase the function of the pneumatic 67 when inflated is to operate an arm70 to hold a slide valve 71 open so as to uncover a port or ports72. Ahigh air tension chamber 73 located in a governor box is communicatingthrough a passage 74 (Fig. ,19) with a high air tension storer orreservoir, not shown in Fig. 1. These ports 72 connect the chamber 73with a chamber 75 which is connected with the chamber 61 by a passage76. The governor box is also provided with a chamber 77 whichcommunicates directly with the chamber 75 and additionally communicateswith the chamber 73 through a I passage 78 which is automaticallyregulated by a diaphragm operating the valve 79, the closing action ofwhich may be regulated. These chambers, as so far indicated aresubstantially the same as set forth in the above described joint patentof the present inmentor and Hjalmar Utterberg, but in that case the,valve 71 is not shown as operated mechanically or pneumatically as inthe present nected through passages 87 by a hollow valve 870.

Now when it is desired to operate the instrument asabove described, thevalve 43 is moved so as to uncover the port 55, collapse the pneumatic67, and close the ports 72. Then the only communication between thechamber 73 and the chamber 75 is through the port 78 which is controlledby the regulator diaphragm. Consequently, a lower air tension will beprovided in the chamber 77 and the instrument can be operated as stated,it being understood that the port remains open during all the timeduring which such operation takes place, and when it is closed, therewill be only one air tension and the striking blows of the pneumaticwill be regulated by the pumping alone, which, however, is not thenormal way of operating the instrument.

In further explanation of Fig. 1, it may be stated that the chamber 81communicates through a passage 88 with a chamber 89, and that thepassage 88 is controlleclby a diaphragm 90 operating a throttle valve(not shown) in the same way that the passage 7 8 is controlled. Thechamber 89 communicates with the chamber 83 through a graduated opening91 controlled by the tempo valve 92 so as to supply air to the motorunder ordinary conditions so as to be controlled at will by the tempovalve.

It will be noticed that the port 82 is controlled by a valve 93 which isordinarily closed during playing, and that the ports 85 are controlledby a valve 94 on the same valve stem these valves being so located thatone is closed when the other is open. Also the valve 870 is mounted onthe same valve stem and disconnects the chambers 7 3 and 80 whenrewinding. Therefore, when playing with the port 55 open valves 94 and870 open and-valve 93 closed air is exhausted from the motor .throughthe automatically controlled passage 88 and the graduated passage 91controlled by the tempo valve. Now when is is desired to reroll thesheet, the valves 93, 94 and 870 are shifted, which shuts off thechamber 80 and passages 85 from all the sources of air tension, so as toprevent any sounding of the notes by the low air tension. As the chamber830 is connected with the chamber 80 through apassage 96, the formeralso becomesdead at this time and the valve 22 cannot be operated toconnect the suction chambers 15 with the high air tension passage 20.There is always free connection between the chambers 73 and 81 tooperate the motor. It will be,seen that there is another port 97 fromthe chamber 81 to the chamber 83', normally closed by a valve 98. Nowwhen it is desired to cause the motor to race during playing, as hasbeen found of advantage in the rendering of certain musicalcompositions, this valve is opened and the high tension is broughtdirectly into the motor without any regulation whatever. This is done bypushing the tempo valvebeyond its range which through a valve stem 99opens the valve 98.

It will be observed that the features just described relate in part tothe above described joint patent of this inventor and Hjalmar Utterberg,but contain certain improvements over. the same.

In several instances in the above description of Fig. 1, channels,chambers, tubes,

etc., have been referred to broadly as passages and it is intended'thatwhere this has been done, the numerals applying to such passages shalldesignate the passages in their" entirety even when composed in part ofone of these elements, and in part of others. In

the detailed description of the drawings hereinafter given, suchpassages will again be referred toin some cases and their componentparts numbered.

Reference isto be had to the other figures of the drawing for a moredetailed disclosure of a simple construction embodying the features ofthe invention set forth broadly above including some additional featuresnot shown in ,Fig. 1.

Referring especially to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that theslidevalve 48 is mounted on a valve box 100 located adjacent to atracker-box 101 which is shown as of the general form indicated in thisapplicants above mentioned application and will not be described hereinin detail. It of course contains the tracker 10 and tubes connecting andforming part of the passages 13 and 40. .It alsois provided with a scale110 which moves the pointer 111 connected with the of chambers 123 and124 with each other or' disconnect them, according to the position ofthis slide valve. These channels 123 are connected with tubes 125 whichform a part of the passages 40. The chambers 123 and 124 constitute apart of the passages 40.

nels 12, that is, paper not especially prepared for such'a tracker, thisslide valve is operated by means of the handle 120 so as to close thepassages 40. This feature is shown and claimed in my aboveindentifiedapplication and consequently is illustrated herein only to show itsconnection with the rest of the apparatus.

The lever 46, valve 45, and passage 47 have been. referred to before.The passages 47 six in number in the form shown, all terminate in ports127 which are closed by the valve 45 which is normally held up by aspring 129. These elements are mounted in a valve-box 130 and operatedas has been stated and as is more particularly set forth in my aboveidentified application.

The valve box 100 and the operation of the sliding valve 43 will now bedescribed. As has been stated, the valve box is provided with a port orslot 55 and a plurality of ports 42, these being located in the topplate131 of the valve box on which the valve slides. This valve instead ofhaving the complications set forth inmy above identified application, ispreferably made solid and of aluminum or other suitable material. Thenotch 44 with which it is provided is the only irregularity in itssurface. The slot 55 and the ports 42 are so located that the valve cancover them in such position that the notch 44 will not open any of theports 42 as is indicated in Fig. 8. This is the position of this valvewhen the instrument is to be played in the oldway, before accenting andmodulating arrangements were in common use; that is, when it was desiredto secure the variations in the striking effects by variations inthepumping. This, however, is not the way in which this instrument isintended to be operated ordinarily.

For ordinary playing the valve is moved sufliciently to the left in Fig.8' to uncover the end of the slot 55 so as to throw the instrument on tothe low air tension passage. This is the position for what is termednormal playing, and in this position the exhaust chambers 15 areconnected with the low air tension passage 19. While playing in this wayif it 1s desired to accent any section of actions, the valve is shiftedso that the notch 44 will uncover one or more of the ports 42, the port55 remaining open. It will be understood that While this instrument isillustrated as having six of these ports, any desired number maybeemployed- One may be employed for each individual striking pneumatic ifdesired, but in practice as no two adjacent keys are ever struck, onelightly and the other with a heavyjolow, to produce a chord or a part ofa chord, all the desired variations can be secured by arranging thestriking pneumatics in sets of three, and when this is done the numberof ports 42 will be equal to one-third of the keys of the instrument.However in the present case the instrument is shown at being divided upinto only six sections.

In the form shown the valve box 100 is constructed as follows: Belowthetop plate constituting continuations of said passages are. all locatednear one side of the plate and open into a block 135 through which theycontinue downward into a plate 136. The upper-three plates abovedescribed are sup ported at a distance from the plate 136 by posts 137,and the space constitutes an outlet to the open air from a chamber belowas will be described. This plate 136 in addition to the channels whichhave been followed down to this point, contains a number of sets ofports 35 which have been referred to heretofore, equal to this numberofports 42. Below this plate is a plate 138 containing, as before,continuations of the passages 56 and 41, and also containing-aseries ofchannels 139 located between the several ports 340 and 35. This platealso contains channels constituting part of the passages 31 opening fromthe several chambers 139.

The next plate 140 contains continuationsof all the above mentionedchannels, and below it a plate 141is provided in which is located thevacuum chamber 330. This plate, of

,course, containscontinuations of the pasand also the chambers 39 and49. on which are mounted the neumatics 38 and 50. This plate extendspast the end of the upper plates and furnishes a base for thereciprocation of the valve 121. It also contains the ends of thepassages 123 and 124 which are connected by said valve, and on it isprovided a block 145 into which the ends of the tubes 125 extend, thesetubes communicating with the channels 123 which extend through thisplate. The next plate 146 contains continuations of the channels 123 and124, and of the passages 31, 41 and 56 and channels constituting part ofthe passages 47 thgse channels leading into' the chambers 49 as has beenstated. It is in this plate that the sev-.-

the passages 31, 96, 56 and 47 are continued,

and the valve box terminates in abottom I tend to the channel-board 154,extending through the same Without communicating with the interiorthereof, and-terminating under the pneumatics 14; as has been set forth.This is indicated in Fig. 24. The

tubes constituting part of the channels 31 also extend into thischannel-board and there each one communicates rality of channels 32. I

The channel board is made up of a plurality of plates. The outside plate155 has with a plupassages for the tubes as above described,

and passages for tubes which constitute part.

of the passages 31. The next plate 156 is spaced from the plate 155 byblocks 157 forming channels constituting continuations of the. passages31 communicating in the plate 156 with passages 32. The next plate 158is spaced from the plate 156 by blocks through said plate 158.

blocks 159 'form channels 19 communicating 157 forming channelsdesignated as 20 which communicate with the passages 18 extendingAnother set of with passages 17 extending through the last plate 160,and communicating with the several suction chambers 15. The plate 151 isapplied so as to cover the open ends of the passages 17 and 18, tubes 13and 32 extendmg into them through the channel-board.

In Fig. 6 is shown a tube constituting part of a passage 56 extendinginto a valve box 170. This valve box is mounted on the top of thegovernor box which has been mentioned, and it is thought that it hasbeen sufliciently described above. It is shown as comprising threeplates, but may be made in desired way. At this point may be observedthat a spring 171 is applied to the lever 70 to assist in opening thepneumatic 67 and the valves 71.

The striking valve box shown in Figs. 21, 22, 23 and 24 has beensufiiciently described in connectionwith the description of Fig. 1, andit is thought'unnecessary to go into the details of the construction ofthe same, as it is the general combination which it is de sired to claimherein. One of these valve boxes is provided for each strikingpneumatic, and they are attached to the channelboardas is indicated inthe first of the above mentioned figures. Each one is preferably made upof a series of plates in a manner which is well-known, and which willneed no description.

The channel 26 which has been referred to above and which is not shownin my above mentioned application, is shown in these figures asconsisting of a series of passages through the different plates of thevalve box. The arrangement of the valves is shown in the same way as inthe diagrammatic View; that is, the valve 28 and its pneumatic 27 arelocated between the valves 22 and 24:, but this arrangement may bevaried as may be found convenient.

While only one embodiment of this invention is herein illustrated anddescribed and it is shown as applied to an upright combination or playerpiano, it is to be understood that many modifications may be madetherein by any person skilled in the art, and that the invention may beapplied to piano players and other instruments without departing fromthe scope of this invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I donot wish to be limited to the particular form shown, but

What I do claim is l. A music playing action having a plurality ofstriking pneumatics, a chamber for each of said pneumatics, a passagefor high air tensions or pressures, a passage for low air tensions orpressures, yielding means in the action for normally connecting the lastnamed passage with said chambers, and means in the action for cuttingoif a plurality of said chambers from the low air tension passage andsimultaneously connecting them with the high air tension passage.

2. A music playing action having a plurality of striking pneumatics, achamber for each of said pneumati'cs, a passage for high air tensions orpressures, a passage for low air tensions or pressures adapted to beconnected with said chambers for operating said pneumatics, means in theaction for cut-,

ting off a plurality of said chambers from the low air tension passageand connecting them with the high air tension. passage, and

a slide valve controlling said means for cutting off a plurality of saidchambers from the low air tension passage in succession as the valvemoves in one direction, and simultaneously connecting them with the highair tension passage.

3. In a music playing device, the combination with a plurality ofelements, a striking pneumatic in each element and an air chamber foreach of saidpneumatics, of a passage for high air tensions or pressures,a passage for low air tensions or pressures both extending into eachelement and con nected with all of said chambers, and means in eachelement for cutting'ofli its chamber from the low air tension passageand con necting it with the high air tension passage.

4. In a music playing device the combination with a plurality ofstriking pneumatics and a chamber for each of said pneumatics, ofa'channel board having a passage for high air tensions or pressures anda passage for low air tensions or pressures adapted to be connected withsaid chambers for operating said pneumatics, manually controlledpneumatic means in the action for cutting oil all of said chambers fromthe low air tension passage, a manually operated valve controlling saidmeans for cutting off a plurality of chambers from the low air tensionpassage and connecting them with the high air tension passage, and agov.- ernor connected with the low air tension, passage, whereby thegovernor will be ineffective during accenting. a

5. In a music playing device, the combination with an action comprisinga plurality of striking pneumatics, a chamber for each of saidpneumatics, a passage for high air tensions or pressures, and a passagefor low air tensions or pressures adapted to be connected with saidchambers for operating said pneumatics, of a manually controlled slidevalve for cutting ofi'- all said chambers from the low air tensionpassage one after the other, as the valve moves in one direction andsimultaneously connecting them with the high air tension passage, and avalve box comprising means constituting part of the action for cuttingofi'- a section or sections'of: chambers from the low air tensionpassage and connecting them with the high air ten-- sion passagecontrolled from the tracker.-

6. In a music playing device, the combination with a tracker, of anaction comprising a plurality of striking pneumatics, a chamber for eachof said pneumatics, a passage a plurality of sections of chambers fromthe low air tension passage and connecting them with the high airtension passage, and a valve boxconstituting part of the action forcutting ofi a section or sections of chambers from the low air tensionpassage and connecting them with the high air tension passage and forcontrolling said low air tension passage.

. 7. In a music. playing device, the combination with a plurality ofstriking pneumatics and a chamber for each of said pneumatics,. of apassage for high air tens ons or pressures, a passage for low airtensions or pressures normally connected with sa1d chambers foroperating sa1d pneumatics, a plurality of means for cutting off the"chambers from the low air tension passage and connecting them with thehigh air tension passage, and a valve box provided with a passage andconnections for controlling said low air'tension passage and with aplurality of passages, each for controlling one of said means forcutting suction chambers oil from the low air tension passage.

8. In a music playing device, the combination with a striking pnuematicand a chamber, of a passage for high air tensions or pressures, apassage for low air tensions or pressures connected with said chamberfor operating said pneumatic, means for cutting off the chamber from thelow air tension passage and connecting it with the high air tens1onpassage, and a valve box having a port and connections for controllingsaid low air tension passage, and a port for controlling said means forcutting ofl the suction chamber from the low air tension passage.

9. In a music playing device, the combination with a striking pneumaticand a cham ber, of a passage for high air tensions or pressures, apassage for low air tensions or pressures connected with said chamberfor operating said pneumatic, means for cutting off the chamber from thelow air tension passage'and connecting it with the high air tensionpassage, a valve box having a nor mally open port and connections forcontrollow air tension passage, and a valve adapted to cover both ofsaid ports when moved to a certain position and to uncover the firstport whenever it uncovers the second port.

z 10. In a music playing device, the combi-v nation with a plurality ofstriking pneumatics and a chamber connected with each of saidpneumatics, of a passage for high air tensions or pressures, a passagefor low air tensions or pressures connected with said chambers foroperating said pneumatics, means for cutting off the chambers from thelow air tension passage and connecting them with the high air tensionpassage, a valve box having a surface provided with a port andconnections for supplying said low air tension passage with a low airtension when 'said port is open, and with a plurality of ports, a'plurality of passages, each connected with one of said plurality ofports for controlling said means for cutting a suction chamber off fromthe low air tension passage, and a valveadapted to cover all ofsaid'ports and having a notch for opening one or more of said pluralityof ports, said notch being so located that whenever any of thesaidfplurality of ports is open, the first named'port will also be open.

11. In a music playing device, the combi- 7 port is open, said suctionchamber being connected with the low air tension passage, said boxhaving a second port, means for connecting the suction chamber with thehigh a r tension passage when said second ort is open, and a valve forsaid ports, sal valve being arranged to uncover the first of said portsbefore it uncovers the second and to keep it uncovered whenever saidsecond port is open. Y

12. In a "music playing device, the combination with the strikingpneumatics, chamhens connected therewith for operating them, a low airtension passage, a high air tension passage, a valve for controlling theconnectionof each of said chambers with said passages, a valve boxhaving a series of ports and passages for controlling said valves and aport having connectionsfor preventing the admission of high air tensionor pressure to said low air tension passage, and a valve for controllingsaid ports,

13. In a music playing device, the combination with the strikingpneumatics, suction chambers connected therewith for operating them, alow air tension passage, a igh air tension passage, a valve forcontrolling the connection of each of said chambers with said passages,a valve box having a series of ports and passages for .controlling saidvalves, and a port having connections for preventing the admission ofhigh air tension to said low air tension passage, and a valve forcontrolling said ports, said valve having means for opening certain ofsaid serles of ports when moved to a certain position and being solocatedas to always open the last named port when any one of saidseriesof ports is opened.

14. In a music playing device, the combinationwith striking pneumatics,of a"valve box having a channel therein terminating in a port, a seriesof channels therein terminating in a corresponding series of ports, a,valve for covering said ports, said/valve having a notch for openingone or more of said series of ports, said notch being so located withrespect to theend of the valve that the first named port will be openedbefore. said notch opens any of said series of .ports, and will continueopen during all the time when any of said series.of ports are open,means connected with the series of ports for controlling the supply ofthe several striking pneumatics with high air tension, and meanscontrolled. from the first named port and channel for the supply of thestriking pneumatics with low air tension.

passage.

15. In a music playing device, the combination of a striking pneumatic,a valve box with which said pneumatic is connected, said valve boxhaving a suction chamber, a high air tension passage, a low air tensionpassage, channels connecting said suction chamber with both of saidpassages, a valve for controlling said channels, a spring for holdingsaid valve in position to close the channel connected with the high airtension passage, a pneumatic for changing the position of said valve toopen the channel connected with the high air tension passage and closethe channel connected with the low air tension passage,-a valve boxhaving a channel provided'with connections for controlling said low airtension passage to maintain a low air tension therein and (hannelshaving connections for operating said pneumatics when the channels areopen, and a valve for controlling said channels.

16. In a music playing device, the combination of striking pneumatics,suction chainbers therefor, a high air tension passage, a low a1rtension passage, channels connecting each of said suction chambers withboth of said passages, valves for controlling said channels, springs forholding said valves in position to close the channels connected with thehigh air tension passage, pneumatics for changing the position of saidvalves to openv the channels connected with the high air tension passageand close the channels connected with the low air tension, passage, achannel provided with connections for controlling said low air tensionpassage to maintain a low air tension therein, a series of channelsarranged in order having connections for operating said pneumatics whensaid channels are open, and a valve forcontrolling the last namedchannels, said valve having means whereby the first of said channels isalways open when any one ormore of the series of channels is-opened bythe valve, whereby the opening of the first mentioned channel willconnect the suction chambers with the low air tension passage,

and the opening of any of the series ofv channels will connect one ormore of the suction chambers with the high air tension 17. In a musicplaying devicfthe combination of a striking pneumatic, a suction chambertherefor, a high air. tension passage, a low air tension passage,channels connecting said suction chamber. with both of said passages, avalve for controlling said channels, means for holding said valve inposition'to'close the channel connected with the high air tensionpassage, a pneumatic for changing the position of said valve to open thechannel'connected with the high air tension passage and close thechannel connected wlth the low air tension passage,

a channel provided with connections for controlling sa d low air tensionpassage to malntaln a low air tension therein, a channel havingconnections for operating the sage,'a low air tension passage, bothleading directly to the suction chamber, means for connecting saidsuction chamber with said passages, a passage having connectionscontrolled thereby for supplying said low air tension passage with a lowair tension when said passage is open, and when closed for connectingsaid low air tension passage directly with the high air tension passage.

19. In a music playing device, the combination with a tracker, aplurality of striking pneumatics and 'a chamber connected with each ofsaid pneumatics, of a passage for high air tensions or pressures, apassage for low air tensions or pressures adapted to be connected withsaid chambers for operating said pneumatics, manually controlledpneumatic means comprising valves in said chambers for cutting ofiall ofsaid chambers from the low air tension passage and connecting them withthe high air tension passage, automatically operated pneumatic meansoperating upon said valves for cutting off a section or sections ofchambers from the low air tension passage and, connecting them with ahigh air tension passage controlled from the tracker, and means forcutting off the connection of the tracker with said pneumatic means.

20. In a music playing device, the combination with a tracker, aplurality of striking pneumatics and a chamber connected with for eachof said pneumatics, of a passage for high air tensions or pressures, anindependent passage for low air tensions or pressures normally connectedwith said chambers for operating said pneumatics, means for cutting offthe chambers from the low air tension passage and I connecting them withthe high air tension passage, said means comprising a valve in eachchamber a manually operated controlling device and an automaticallyoperated controlling device controlled from the tracker for operatingthe valves, and manually operated means for cutting oif the connectionof the tracker with said automatic controlling device.

21. In a music playing device, the combination with a strikingpneumatic, avsuction chamber therefor, two passages having different airtensions, each connected with said suction chamber, 'avalve forcontrolling the connection of said passages with the suction chamber, apneumatic for operating said valve, a passage connected w1th saidpneumatic for operating it, a valve for controlling the last namedpassage, a pneumatic tion chamber with which the latter pneumatic isconnected, a passage for-controlling the operation of said last namedpneumatic,

a restricted connection between the last named passage and the lastnamedsuction chamber, a valve for closing said connection, and a pneumaticfor operating the last named valve and communicating with the last namedpassage. i

22. The combination with a striking pneumatic, connections for operatingsaid pneumatic, a valve for controlling said connections, a pneumaticfor operating said valve, a suction chamber, a passage from said suctionchamber to said pneumatic, a second valve for controlling said passage,a pneumatic in the suction chamber for operating said second valve, asecond pneumatic in said suction chamber, a valve'supported by the lastnamed pneumatic, a restricted passage adapted to be closed by saidvalve, and a channel communicating. with the last named two pneumaticand with said restricted passage. 23. The combination with a strikingpneumatic, connections for operating said pneumatic, a valve forcontrolling said connections, a pneumatic for operating said valve, asuction chamber, a passage from said suction chamber to said pneumatic,a second valve for controlling said passage, a pneumatic in the suctionchamber for operating said second valve, a second pneumatic in saidsuction chamber, a valve supported by the last named pneumatic, arestricted passage adapted to be closed by said valve, a channelcommunicating with the last named two pneumatics and with saidrestricted passage, the last named valve being adapted to close withoutatmospheric pressure behind it, and the second valve being adapted toclose against atmospheric air pressure whereby the last named valve willclose before the second valve and shut off the suction chamber from saidpassage before the second valve operates to disconnect'the first pneusmatic from the suctionchamber.

24. In a music playing device, the combination with striking pneumatics,of an accenting device adapted to control a plurality of said strikingpneumatics, a governor box having a chamber for high air tensions and achamber for low air tensions, a valve for preventing direct connectionbetween said chambers, 'means' for operating said valve in the governorbox, a pneumatic, a passage for admitting air under said pneuforoperating the last named valve, a sucmatic to operate the same, asuction chamber with which said pneumatic is connected adapted' tocommunicate with one of the chambers in said governor box, a second.

pneumatic in said suction chamber, a valve supported by the secondpneumatic, and a restricted passage. adapted to be controlled by saidvalve and extending from the suction chamber into communication with theother side of both of said neumatics.

25. In a music playing device, the combi-' nation with a strikingpneumatic, of an accenting device therefor, a governor box having achamber for high air tensions and a chamber for low air tensions, avalve for preventing direct connection between said chambers, means foroperatlng said valve in the governor box, a pneumatic, a passage foradmitting air under sald pneumatic to operate the same, a suctionchamber with.

which said pneumatic is connected adapted to communicate with one of thechambers in said governor box, a second pneumatic in said suctionchamber, a valve supported by v the second pneumatic a restrictedpassage adapted to be controlled by said valve and extending from thesuction chamber into communication with the other side of both of saidpneumatics, said second pneumatic being adapted to oprate under lighterpressure than the first pneumatic, whereby said valve will be closedbefore the first pneumatic operates and the suction chamber will .be cutoff from communication with the vas other side of saidpneumatics beforethe first .pneumatic operates.

I 26. .In a music playing device, the combination. of a governor boxhaving a low air tension chamber and a high air tension chamber, a valvefor controlling direct communication between said chambers, a suctionchamber, a channel adapted to open I suction chamber before said to theair,-a pneumatic connected with said channel and communicating with saidsuction chamber connections for controlling the operation of said valve,and means for closing connection between said channel and pneumaticoperates.

27. In a music playing device, the combination of a main chamberconnected with a source of air tension or pressure, a low ten: sionchamber, a passage connecting said chambers, means for cutting down theair tension or pressure in said passage, a direct connection betweensaid chambers, a valve for controlling said direct connection, means foroperating said valve, a third chamber, means for providing a directconnection between the first chamber and' the third chamber whendesired, a high air tension passage connected with the third chamber, alow air tension passage connected with the second chamber, strikingpneumatics, and means Lil-36,385

for connecting said passages with said striking pneumatics for operatingthem.

28. In a music playing device, the combisaid striking neumatics oroperating them, i

a fourth chamber, a direct and constantly open connection between thefirst chamber and the fourth chamber, and means for connecting thefourth chamber with the motor for operating the same. Y

29. In a music. playing device, the combination of a main chamberconnected with a source of air tension or pressure, a second chamberconnected through a regulated passage with the first chamber, a thirdchamber connected with the first chamber, a valve adapted to open andclose the connection between the first and third chambers, a motorchamber for direct connectioniwith a motor, a valve for opening a directconnection from the first chamber to the motor chamber, a passageconnected with the second chamber, a passage connected with the thirdchamber, striking pneumatics adapted to be connected with either of saidpassages so as to operate under high or low tension, a valve forcontrolling the connection of the second chamher with said passageconnected therewith, and means for moving said three valvessimultaneously so as to close the connection between the first and thirdchambers and between the second chamber and its passage,

and to open the connection between the first chamber and the motorchamber for rewinding.

30; Ina music playing device, the combinatlon of a chamber connectedwith a source of air tension or pressure, a motor chamber adapted to beconnected with the first chamber, a tempo valve for controlling the flowof air between the motor chamber and the first named chamber, a racingvalve adapted to open a" free connection between the said chambers whilethe instrument isbeing played, and means connected with the tempo valvefor opening said racing valve when the tempo valve moves in a positionto accelerate the motor in the forward direction to the maximum extentduring playing.

31. In a music playing device, the combination with a motor and tempovalve for manually controlling the speed of the motor, my hand, inthepresence of two subscrib of means separate from the tempo valve ingWitnesses. whereby, When the tempo valve is being opened during playing,the opening there- PETER WELIN' of to its fullest extent only will causethe Witnesses: motor to operate at maximum speed I C. FORREST \VESSON,

In testimony whereof'I have hereunto set ALBERT E. FAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G.

